Dr. Raymond Moellering

The interplay between metabolism and the post-translational regulation of proteins and signaling pathways is integral to all cellular processes. In this seminar I will present several research efforts where I have applied emerging technologies, including activity-based protein profiling (ABPP), and mass spectrometry-based metabolomic and proteomic platforms, to discover, characterize and perturb diverse post-translational regulatory mechanisms. First, I will discuss the use of ABPP and metabolomic screening platforms in the discovery of a “quorum sensing-like” metabolic pathway present in cancer cells, as well as the subsequent development of highly specific imaging reagents targeting the critical enzymatic node in this cancer-specific pathway. Second, I will describe the discovery of a new type of protein post-translational modification, phosphoglyceryllysine (pgK), which is formed by the non-enzymatic reaction of specific lysine residues on proteins with the primary glycolytic metabolite 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate. This exciting finding provides the first evidence of a direct connection between glycolytic flux and alterations in the structure and function of key proteins, including glycolytic enzymes themselves, pointing to the existence of an ancient and likely biomedically important intrinsic feedback pathway in mammalian cells. This work also implicates pgK modification as a conduit linking core metabolism with numerous other signaling pathways. Progress on the role of pgK modifications as both a cause and consequence of deregulated metabolism in cancer, as well as their dynamic regulation in cells, will be discussed. Together, these efforts underscore the power of integrating traditional chemical and biochemical approaches with quantitative proteomic and metabolomic platforms to expose and exploit novel post-translational regulatory mechanisms in (patho)physiologic processes.

The school is engaged in cutting edge research across the full breadth or modern chemistry and biochemistry. Our activities bridge traditional boundaries between scientific disciplines and involve partnerships across the campus, around the country and internationally. Research lies as the core of graduate education in the chemical and biochemical sciences, but there are also many opportunities for Georgia Tech undergraduates to work alongside our Ph.D. researchers and graduate students to develop their professional skills.

Members of our distinguished faculty are engaged in the education of ~350 Chemistry or Biochemistry undergraduate majors, ~240 Chemistry graduate students and more than 2,000 other undergraduates each year through their service teaching activities. The school’s extensive and internationally recognized research programs engage its graduate students, ~110 PhD researchers, many undergraduates and collaborators, throughout the campus and from around the world, in cutting edge science. These programs are supported by a highly talented administrative, technical and scientific staff.

The School of Chemistry and Biochemistry benefits greatly from the generosity of it alumni and friends. Our alumni help guide the future of the school thorugh our advisory board and they also help our current students through mentoring and similar activities. Funds donatedby our alumni and friends, for immediate use or to provide support in perpetuity through the creation of an endowment, enable many different activities.